Reading Tips
Reading. Some love it, others hate it. As a leader it is imperative that you read. Whatever the difficulty whatever the obstacle, we must read. A good friend of mine, Pastor Austin Gardner, sent the following tips on reading. I thought them helpful and wanted to pass them alone to you.
Reading Rate Tips
1. Visualize ideas as you read.
2. Set a purpose for the reading.
3. Adjust your speed based on the nature of the reading assignment.
4. Develop a large vocabulary in that subject area.
5. Practice speed reading daily.
6. Read multi-word phrases rather than one word at a time.
7. Use a pacer (pen or paper to guide you down the page.)
8. Practice using newspapers or magazine articles not college textbooks.
SQ3R Reading System
Survey - Look at the title, headings, subheadings, charts, diagrams, pictures, summary and end questions of the chapter you are getting ready to read.
Question - Ask who, what, where, when, and why? Turn the headings and subheadings into questions.
Read - Read under the heading or subheading.
Recite - Tell yourself the answer to the question and any other pertinent information in that selection. Highlight only after you recite, if needed. Repeat the last three steps – read, recite, and review for each section of the chapter.
Review – Immediately go over your questions and answers.
1. Read during your prime time – the time of day when you are most focused.
2. Establish a good physical environment for reading (proper lighting, low noise level, minimal distractions, comfortable temperature).
3. Be actively involved in your reading (highlighting, note-taking, using a reading system like SQ3R described above).
4. Read in intervals – 45-50 minutes of reading with a 10-15 minute break.
5. Form mental pictures as you read the material.
6. Define unfamiliar words.
7. Review what you read with a friend or study group.
8. Space your review over time and review more than once.
What book are you currently reading? Prepare yourself as much as possible before you get to the field. There are many fine books from people who have already experienced what you will be going through and doing. Learn from them to better prepare for your ministry.
Love you guys.
Bro. Tony
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As a young person I hated reading, and now I have to be in the mood to read. As a general rule of thumb, I try and read something every day; outside normal Bible reading and study. I find that it is good to compliment recreational reading with “ministry” reading. By recreational reading, I mean, Fiction, history… WWII stories (I am a history buff), etc. You can burn yourself out if you are not careful.
With that stated, I like books and view them as my friends. When you are in the ministry, you will need a good library. Some men say “all I need is my Bible”. That is all well and good, but the apostle Paul wanted the parchments and the books. Also, understand that it is okay to read after men whom you know to be off doctrinally. You can spit the bones out!!! Just remember to mark the books appropriately, so after your graduation to Heaven, a young preacher boy will know that you did not endorse the bad stuff in the books!
ALS